Manufacturing Engineer

Equation Recruitment Ltd; Emsworth; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Manufacturing Engineer role at the Hampshire site focuses on improving how products are manufactured, tested and delivered, with emphasis on productivity, quality, cost and overall operational performance. It is a hands-on, improvement-focused position involving new product introductions, test equipment development and capital investment projects.

Ideal candidates will combine practical engineering expertise with analytical thinking and continuous improvement skills, and will own projects

Qualifications

• A relevant qualification in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing or Production Engineering, ideally at HNC/HND level or equivalent.
• Experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, product engineering or a similar technical environment.
• The ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications and manufacturing requirements.
• Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes, assembly methods, production layouts or test systems.
• An understanding of process control, production documentation and manufacturing data accuracy.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing, continuous improvement and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Experience supporting productivity improvements, cost reduction or waste elimination initiatives.
• Project management skills, including planning, monitoring progress and coordinating stakeholders.
• The ability to prepare technical reports, business cases and project updates.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across production, engineering, quality, maintenance and supply chain teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive new product introduction: Work with engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure products are designed for efficient assembly, testing and production.
• Develop smarter test solutions: Design, improve and validate test equipment to support reliable and effective manufacturing operations.
• Optimise manufacturing processes: Develop flexible, reliable and efficient assembly and production methods to meet current and future demand.
• Lead capital projects: Identify investment opportunities, develop business cases, manage budgets and deliver projects from concept through to implementation.
• Champion continuous improvement: Apply lean manufacturing principles, structured problem-solving techniques and waste elimination strategies to improve productivity, quality and material flow.
• Improve manufacturing performance: Analyse operational data, identify performance drivers and implement practical solutions that deliver sustainable improvements.
• Maintain robust engineering standards: Ensure work instructions, process specifications, manufacturing routings, Bills of Materials and ERP data remain accurate and up to date.
• Support cost and efficiency targets: Monitor manufacturing expenditure, identify cost-saving opportunities and improve overall process effectiveness.
• Ensure reliable production and testing: Support test rigs and production equipment to maintain capability, uptime and process stability.
• Share knowledge and expertise: Coach and support operators, technicians and team leaders, strengthening process understanding and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.

Skills

Process improvement

Lean manufacturing

Project management

Communication skills

Data analysis

Education

Mechanical/Electrical/Manufacturing or Production Engineering qualification

Tools

AutoCAD LT

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer

Salary: Up to £50,000

Manufacturing / Process Engineering

Ready to Engineer Better Ways of Working?

The client is seeking a passionate and driven Manufacturing Engineer with a strong focus on improving manufacturing performance, solving complex engineering challenges and turning innovative ideas into practical results.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Process Focus Team at the client's manufacturing site in Hampshire, where the successful candidate will play a key role in improving how products are manufactured, tested and delivered. The role will focus on driving improvements in productivity, quality, cost and overall operational performance.

Working at the forefront of digital and electric solutions, the Manufacturing Engineer will contribute to the development of smarter, more efficient and sustainable manufacturing processes that support the client's customers.

The Opportunity of the Manufacturing Engineer

This is a hands-on, improvement-focused engineering role offering a varied range of technical challenges. From supporting new product introductions and developing test equipment to leading capital investment projects, the successful candidate will help shape the future of the client's manufacturing operations.

The role requires a combination of practical engineering expertise, analytical thinking and continuous improvement techniques to identify opportunities, challenge established processes and deliver measurable results.

The ideal candidate will enjoy taking ownership of projects, collaborating across functions and implementing engineering improvements that deliver tangible benefits on the production floor.

Key Responsibilities of the Manufacturing Engineer

• Drive new product introduction: Work with engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure products are designed for efficient assembly, testing and production.
• Develop smarter test solutions: Design, improve and validate test equipment to support reliable and effective manufacturing operations.
• Optimise manufacturing processes: Develop flexible, reliable and efficient assembly and production methods to meet current and future demand.
• Lead capital projects: Identify investment opportunities, develop business cases, manage budgets and deliver projects from concept through to implementation.
• Champion continuous improvement: Apply lean manufacturing principles, structured problem-solving techniques and waste elimination strategies to improve productivity, quality and material flow.
• Improve manufacturing performance: Analyse operational data, identify performance drivers and implement practical solutions that deliver sustainable improvements.
• Maintain robust engineering standards: Ensure work instructions, process specifications, manufacturing routings, Bills of Materials and ERP data remain accurate and up to date.
• Support cost and efficiency targets: Monitor manufacturing expenditure, identify cost-saving opportunities and improve overall process effectiveness.
• Ensure reliable production and testing: Support test rigs and production equipment to maintain capability, uptime and process stability.
• Share knowledge and expertise: Coach and support operators, technicians and team leaders, strengthening process understanding and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a practical, solutions-focused engineer who enjoys working closely with manufacturing operations and collaborating with colleagues across different functions.

They will bring a combination of technical knowledge, analytical ability and a continuous improvement mindset, alongside the confidence to challenge existing methods and turn opportunities into measurable improvements.

Essential Skills and Experience

• A relevant qualification in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing or Production Engineering, ideally at HNC/HND level or equivalent.
• Experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, product engineering or a similar technical environment.
• The ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications and manufacturing requirements.
• Experience developing or improving manufacturing processes, assembly methods, production layouts or test systems.
• An understanding of process control, production documentation and manufacturing data accuracy.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing, continuous improvement and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Experience supporting productivity improvements, cost reduction or waste elimination initiatives.
• Project management skills, including planning, monitoring progress and coordinating stakeholders.
• The ability to prepare technical reports, business cases and project updates.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across production, engineering, quality, maintenance and supply chain teams.

Desirable Experience

Experience in any of the following areas would be a strong advantage:

• Hydraulic systems and electro-hydraulic testing.
• Product calibration, functional testing and end-of-line test rigs.
• Programming or scripting using C#, .NET, Python or similar languages.
• Six Sigma methodologies, ideally supported by a Green Belt qualification.
• AutoCAD LT or comparable CAD software.
• Manual and semi-automated assembly processes.
• Quality management systems such as ISO 9001 or IATF 16949.
• Automation, digitalisation, production data capture or Industry 4.0 initiatives.

How the Manufacturing Engineer will make an impact

• Ensuring manufacturing processes are safe, reliable, capable and consistently applied.
• Developing test equipment and production systems that meet current and future requirements.
• Delivering measurable operational and commercial benefits through capital investment.
• Driving continuous improvements in productivity, quality, material flow and cost performance.
• Ensuring production teams have the standards, training and engineering support required to succeed.

Why Join the Client?

The successful candidate will join a manufacturing environment where engineering expertise, innovation and continuous improvement are central to operational success.

The role offers the opportunity to take ownership of meaningful projects, influence manufacturing strategy and collaborate with teams across the business to deliver practical, lasting improvements.

From improving test capability and introducing new manufacturing methods to delivering capital projects, the Manufacturing Engineer will make a direct contribution to improving manufacturing efficiency and sustainability.

Ready to Make a Difference?

The client welcomes applications from Manufacturing Engineers who are passionate about solving problems, improving processes and delivering measurable results.